Government Issues

Possible strike would shut down largest commuter rail system in U.S.

NEW YORK CITY — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and unions representing employees of Long Island Rail Road are reconvening Thursday at noon to work out a deal to avert a strike that would hobble about 300,000 daily commuters amid Long Island’s peak tourism season, International Business Times reported.

Talks broke down last month with the MTA claiming they conceded to all of the unions’ demands, including a 17% wage hike over seven years, with no changes to pensions. The unions want the wage hike over six years, first-time employee health-care contributions and no changes to work rules, according to the report.